Police arrest 18 in Minneapolis protest over deportations

Published 8:16 am Wednesday, May 23, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS — Police arrested more than a dozen protesters who shut down part of Minneapolis’ light rail system Tuesday while calling attention to federal immigration deportations and raids.

The morning demonstration was part of a national movement known as the Poor People’s Campaign, which aims to highlight issues including racism and poverty. Organizers say they hoped the disruption would shut down immigration offices in a nearby federal building.

Demonstrators sat cross-legged on the light rail tracks near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, shutting down service and some nearby roads for over an hour. They waved signs reading “no more deportations” and called for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to be abolished.

Email newsletter signup

“I’m feeling energized,” said Daniel Romero who was among those who were arrested. “We are stopping ICE for one day.”

An ICE spokesman, Shawn Neudauer, said the protest didn’t interfere with this office’s daily operation.

Metro Transit spokesman Howie Padilla confirmed that 18 people were arrested for trespassing and interfering with transit.